Open water swimmers go the distance at Ebotse Mile

The Ebotse Mile Swim returned to Benoni on January 14.

Male swimmers take to the waters of Rynfield Dam for the Midmar Mile seeding event during the Ebotse Mile event at Rynfield Dam.

With the Midmar Mile fast approaching many open water swimmers took to the drink at Rynfield Dam to earn their seeding position at the ever-popular event, north of Pietermaritzburg.

Seven swimming events took place over the course of the day.

Conditions on the day were perfect for open water swimming, with a 23°C water temperature and little to no wind.

The first and second events comprised a 3 000m distance swim for men and women (from 12 years old and above), while events three and four saw women and men swimmers respectively take on the one-mile distance.

A quarter-mile development swim for all ages then followed for the fifth event of the day.

A women’s 1 000m ‘Winner Takes All’ and a men’s 1 000m ‘Winner Takes All’ swim wrapped up the proceedings where the winners earned themselves a cash prize.

According to race organiser Willie Vorster, the seeding event attracted more swimmers than last year with an approximate increase of 15 per cent more water babies participating.

“It was a brilliant event,” said Vorster.

“It was the first time that we had the folks from National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI, now based at the Rynfield Dam) on scene, which was excellent.

“It meant that we had more eyes on the water to ensure the safety of our swimmers.”

The organiser praised Ebotse Golf and Country Estate for ensuring that the water was in a good and healthy condition for swimming.

He also lauded the host venue, the East Rand Speedboat Club (ERSC), for providing them with a ‘perfect venue to host an open water event from’.

The next Midmar Mile seeding event takes place at the Lake Heritage Water Festival, at Cradle Moon Lakeside Lodge (formerly known as Heia Safari Ranch) this weekend.

Vorster encouraged all swimmers to also make their way to Homestead Dam for the Gauteng Open Water Swimming Challenge, organised by Gauteng Aquatics, at the Benoni Sailing Club on January 27 and 28.

The event is open to all swimmers and families.

Results from the Ebotse Mile are (Top three finishers):

• Event one, women 11 and over 3km open water: 1 Leigh Mc Morran (13) 42.24, 2 Anel de Vos (20) 43.30, 3 Jesica Smit (17) 44.06.

• Event two, men 11 and over 3km open water: 1 Hein van Tonder (16) 40.14, 2 Armand Nortje (18) 40.30, 3 Kyle Letley 41.07.

• Event three, girls 13 and under 1.65km open water: 1 Madison Scorgie (11) 28.51, 2 Jessica Baker (11) 28.52, 3 Charlene Minnie (13) 29.11. Women 14 to 30 1.65km: 1 Anel de Vos (20) 23.38, 2 Demi Leech (17) 25.48, 3 Adri Opperman (15) 25.50. Women 31 to 50 1.65km: 1 Megan Albertyn (44), 2 Cita Penn, Cita (39) 30.25, 3 Melissa O’Connor (36) 31.37. Women 51 to 99 1.65km: 1 Karen Kennedy (51) 27.12, 2 Carol Mason (54) 28.44, 3 Karen Gibson (56) 33.30.

• Event four, boys 13 and under 1.65km open water: 1 Connor Albertyn (13) 22.05, 2 Kian Keylock (12) 25.21, 3 Aiden Bornman (13) 25.47. Men 14 to 30 1.65km: 1 Hein van Tonder (16) 21.51, 2 Abdul Railoun (25) 21.55, 3 Kyle Letley (16) 21.56. Men 31 to 50 1.65km: 1 Gary Albertyn (48), 2 Scott Gilchrist (40), 3 Giacomo Virgici (46) 26.53. Men 51 to 99km 1.65k: 1 Russell Behrens (61) 27.44, 2 Derek Fyfe (77) 31.33, 3 MC Wessels (57) 32.06.